THE STORY
Re-inventing The Wheel
The Plymouth Cheese Factory, located in Plymouth, Vermont, is the second oldest cheesemaking operation in the United States. John Coolidge, the father of President Calvin Coolidge, started the cheese factory in 1890 and Plymouth Cheese as we know it today was born.
The Coolidge family produced this historic cheese until 1998. In 2009 Jesse Werner took over the Plymouth Cheese Factory as the new cheesemaker. Now, once again Plymouth Cheese is being made by hand to the same exacting standards, which a pedigreed American heritage cheese demands.
Plymouth Artisan Cheese creates raw whole cow’s milk cheeses by hand in small batches. All of our milk comes from a dedicated herd close by in Tinmouth, Vermont. We continually monitor the herd for quality and test the milk to ensure the best dairy practices are being kept and the milk is free of hormones, additives and antibiotics. We are committed to the ideas and philosophies of the Slow Food movement, as well as protecting and promoting the working landscapes of Vermont.
Our Granular Curd cheese is a true American original made using the same techniques practiced in Vermont in the 1890’s.The art of achieving the rich and distinct flavors of our cheese is through the skillful cutting and continuous stirring of the curds – a process that takes hours and is a defining feature of this historic American cheese. Plymouth Cheese has been described as tangy, rich, old fashioned and uncomplicated. Our Cheese is produced in small wheels, 3lb, 1lb & .5lb blocks.
“Julia Child considered Plymouth Cheese her favorite…”
– St. Petersburg Times
LOCATION
Plymouth Artisan Cheese
Division of Fairfield Farms Artisan Cheese, LLC
106 Messer Hill Road, Plymouth, Vermont 05056
802-672-3650
erin@plymouthcheese.com
We are open every day!
Winter hours are 10 – 4 pm
Summer hours are 10 – 5 pm
We offer free cheese samples, and self-guided tour throughout the Plymouth Cheese Factory building.
We have big windows that look into our cheesemaking rooms, as well as an onsite cheese museum.
If you have a large group, please call ahead of time to organize a tour. Please also call ahead for our cheesemaking schedule.
OUR PRODUCTS
Smoked
A mellow, creamy cheese, cold-smoked over hickory wood using traditional Vermont techniques for a rich, savory flavor.
For information on where to purchase, click here.
Sage & Herbs
A savory classic enhanced with aromatic sage, thyme, rosemary, lavender and oregano.
For information on where to purchase, click here.
Plymouth Reserve
Our cheeses are crafted, cut and waxed by hand – the way they did it over 125 years ago on the Plymouth homestead.
Granular curd cheese is very similar to cheddar, but it’s made in a technically different way. The art of achieving the rich, open-bodied texture of granular curd cheese is through the skillful cutting and continuous stirring of the curds.
The secret to making great cheese is to get the best and highest quality raw milk supply possible. We use only the finest Vermont raw cow’s milk free of any additives, ant-biotics or rBST. Our milk is sourced from […]
Plymouth Tomme
Raw milk. Alpine style Tomme.
For information on where to purchase, click here.
Rum Runner
One of Plymouth’s signature cheeses, Rum Runner is washed with paprika, cocoa, olive oil, clove and rum.
For information on where to purchase, click here.
Red, White & Blue
Red foil envelops this ivory cheese streaked with blue veins and punctuated with irregular holes and small eyes. Clean, fresh and original, this cheese has a smooth, creamy texture and mild peppery accents.
For information on where to purchase, click here.
Plymouth Big Blue
Recognized by Food & Wine as one of the best artisanal cheeses in the nation, Big Blue showcases a thin stony rind surrounding a moist but dense cheese. With patches of small blue eyes, the texture is creamy, bold and rich with an herbaceous tang and a long finish. Its flavor develops steadily, becoming spicier as it ages.
For information on where to purchase, click here.
Hunter
Hunter is a classic Vermont extra-aged cheese. A robust, mature version of Original Plymouth distinguished by a bold sharpness with richly nuanced complexity.
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Hot Pepper
A hearty cheese enriched with zesty red, orange and green peppers for lively color and a spicy flavor. Aged 60 days.
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Grace’s Choice
Using the same raw cow milk from Plymouth’s signature cheese, Grace’s Choice is lightly washed with a natural rind for a cheese that is creamy, smooth and buttery.
For information on where to purchase, click here.
Garlic Peppercorn
A smooth, complex granular curd cheese spiced with green peppercorns, onion, garlic and red pepper. Aged 60 days.
For information on where to purchase, click here.
Cheese Curds
Our cheeses are crafted, cut and waxed by hand – the way they did it over 125 years ago on the Plymouth homestead.
Granular curd cheese is very similar to cheddar, but it’s made in a technically different way. The art of achieving the rich, open-bodied texture of granular curd cheese is through the skillful cutting and continuous stirring of the curds.
The secret to making great cheese is to get the best and highest quality raw milk supply possible. We use only the finest Vermont raw cow’s milk free of any additives, ant-biotics or rBST. Our milk is sourced from […]
Original Plymouth Cheese
Requires a minimum of 10 months in our cellars before it has achieved its full potential. Plymouth is our signature cheese, deep and complex, which will excite and entice the palate. Robust and with a long finish, Original Plymouth will soon become one of your favorites.
For more information on where to purchase, click here.
East Meadow
Our youngest offering, is aged 3 months. This cheese has a smooth texture with creamy and buttery notes and a pleasant finish. Our East Meadow is perfect for mild cheese lovers and great in a wide array of cooking.